Does anyone remember where "...but I like it too." comes from? I'm showing my age again. If I add the words, "Manly, yes...but I like it too." ? That right. It's the tag line from all those horrible Irish Spring commercials I grew up with in the 70's and 80's. I guess I could've used, "...magically delicious." instead. I apologize to all my Irish friends for these shenanigans but I can't help it. I'm an idjit. Having been married to a 100% Irish man for twenty-eight years, you'd think the last Irish accent I'd hear in my head is that fake Lucky Charms thing that advertizing agents have forced on us through countless commercials. And speaking of my Irish/Viking husband...My best guy and friend since I was ninteen...This shamrock's for you, Babe. I don't say it enough but I'm the luckiest girl in the world. I must be Irish too. Never could I have found a more wonderful, noble, beautiful, self-sacrificing, hard working, smart, funny, and loving man than John Matthew Nolan. Love you, Honey...
You can find this Shamrock on my Freebies page here: http://www.brookesbookspublishing.com/CrossStitchFreebies.html Scroll waaaay down the page, past The Stitcher's Alphabet letter blocks and click on the shamrock image to download the chart. This design is 87 x 87 stitches so it's large enough to make into a pretty pillow or some kind of home decor item. Also, I'd recommend using floss the color of your choice. I charted it with DMC 910 but if I were going to stitch this for myself, I'd probably use a variagated green or silk or something lovely like that.
Also. wanted to let you all know that our friend Annie Bebop's beautiful "Happy Couple" quilt has made it to auction at the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative and I'm hoping you'll go see it. Annie is truly a gifted needle artist and has devoted her time and talent to creating one of a kind quilts to fight the disease that took her mom from her. Thank you, Annie. Your love and devotion shine through your lovely work.
One more quick thing today. I've been having SO much fun designing a Witchie Sister for "Just Cross Stitch's" 2013 Halloween book that I'm dyin' to share some sneak peek photos with you. Her Name is "Batty Belinda" and she's quite the Roaring 20's vamp...Very Louise Brooks. She's very much a work in progress so don't judge her yet. I've got a lot more to add to her (Like beaded fringe for her skirt.) but I've never designed this kind of 1920's flapper look before and I'm just having a blast. She'll be in JCS's hard bound Halloween book later this year, not their Halloween ornaments magazine edition. I'm working on something else for that...Code word, "Steampunk". Oh, man, I'm having way too much fun.
Hope everyone is stitching up a storm this week.

